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How to Add Widgets and Set Wallpapers on Google Pixel

Add and resize widgets on the default Pixel home screen. Use Wallpaper and style to customize your lock screen and home screen, and understand menu and layout differences.

MuseScreen · Google Pixel · Updated

Applies to

The default Pixel launcher. Google notes that some widget steps apply to Android 14 and later. Menus on other brands and third-party launchers may differ.

Based on official documentation, without hands-on testing of every device. Styling and troubleshooting tips are editorial suggestions.

Open the widget list and add one

  1. Hold an empty area of the home screen and choose Widgets.
  2. Find and expand the app to see what it offers.
  3. Hold a widget, drag it to an empty home screen space, and release it.
  4. Hold and release the widget again. If a resize border appears, drag its handles to change the size.

Instructions based on: Google: Add apps, shortcuts, and widgets to your Pixel home screen

Change home screen and lock screen images

  1. Hold an empty home screen area and open Wallpaper and style.
  2. Open Change wallpaper. Some interfaces show More wallpapers first.
  3. Choose one of your photos or a system category and select the home screen or lock screen to customize.
  4. Check the image position and target screens in the preview, then apply it.

Instructions based on: Google: Change the wallpaper on your Pixel phone

Recheck widgets after changing the layout

Pixel's Wallpaper and style also provides home screen layout options. After changing the grid, recheck widget space and icon spacing. A denser grid is not always easier to read.

Styling tip: prioritize one piece of information you check often, then choose wallpaper space around it. If the widget and wallpaper backgrounds look similar, pay particular attention to text contrast.

Instructions based on: Google: Change the wallpaper on your Pixel phone

Frequently asked questions

Why does the widget menu have a different name in Chinese?

System translations differ. Google's Chinese Pixel help uses its own term for widgets. Look for the widget list reached by holding an empty home screen area, rather than an app icon's shortcut menu.

What if the menu changed after switching launchers?

This guide covers the default Pixel home screen. For a third-party launcher, consult its instructions for adding widgets. A different menu does not by itself mean the app has lost widget support.

Find your setup method, then your style

Explore wallpaper previews and styling ideas, then save a suitable image to your device. App features depend on the version you have installed.

Browse curated wallpapersWidget styling ideasView Support

Official references

Sources checked: 2026-09-10. After a system update, follow the official instructions and device interface for your version.

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